18 Dead, 12 abducted as terrorists, bandits strike in Adamawa, Sokoto

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

At least 18 people have been killed and 12 others abducted in separate attacks on communities in Adamawa and Sokoto states, with suspected Boko Haram insurgents and armed bandits unleashing violence on residents in the early hours of Monday.

In Adamawa State, 11 people were reportedly killed when suspected Boko Haram insurgents invaded Zaranga village in Gombi Local Government Area, shooting residents and setting houses ablaze.

The attackers reportedly stormed the community in the early hours of Monday, forcing residents to flee into surrounding forests, while several others remained missing.

A resident, who spoke by telephone with The Punch, but requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to journalists, said 11 bodies had been recovered.

“For now, 11 dead bodies have been recovered. Many people are still missing. Search teams and security personnel are in the forest searching for the missing people,” he said.

Another resident said his wife and two other members of his family were among those killed in the attack.

“My wife and two of my family members were also killed during the early morning invasion of my village,” he said.

The attackers were also said to have set houses ablaze during the assault, although the extent of the destruction could not immediately be established.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Adamawa State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, did not respond to several calls placed to his telephone seeking confirmation.

Meanwhile, in Sokoto State, at least seven people were killed and 12 others abducted when armed bandits invaded Tofa village in Rabah Local Government Area.

The attack reportedly occurred around 1 a.m. on Monday, with the bandits operating in large numbers and opening sporadic fire on residents.

A security source told Daily Trust that the attackers operated for about four hours and also rustled an undisclosed number of animals.

“They killed seven persons including two women and abducted several others,” the source said.

The seven people killed were identified as Malam Muhammadu, Danbakanike, Musa Dan Agaji, Masaudu Basiru, Buba Biti, Yar Kuluwa Basiru and Jamila Umma.

The 12 abducted victims were identified as Shafiu Bello, Bilyaminu Abubakar, Saifullahi Buhari, Hauwau Zayyanu, Saratu Ibrahim, Safiyya Nasi, Zulaiha Aminu, Bilya Abu, Farida Lawali, Yar Kadan Aminu, Kulu Amadu and another victim.

The bandits reportedly released 10 other victims while returning to their hideout.

Those released were identified as Hadiza Kabiru, Amina Abu, Jiborin Buhari, Babangida Buhari, Fati Abdullahi, Abdurrazak Muhammad, Usman Umar, Nanuwa Aminu, Maryam Isah and Aisha Ummaru.

The security source further disclosed that the attackers abducted two other people during separate incidents, including Sani Gayya, popularly known as Magatakarda Saburu, who was reportedly kidnapped while working on his farm in nearby Saburu village.

The two attacks have further heightened security concerns in the affected communities, with search efforts continuing in Adamawa for missing residents and the fate of those abducted in Sokoto remaining a major concern.

The reported incidents underline the continuing threat posed by insurgents and armed bandits to rural communities, particularly where residents remain vulnerable to attacks during the night and early morning hours.

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